142 
I will say that nowhere in Genesis can I find it stated that the death of 
animals depended upon the fall of man. I remember that this is stated in 
Milton ; but I do not recollect any passage in the Bible itself by which 
the assumption could be maintained. It contained no reference whatever to 
the cause of the death of animals. I know very well that theologians are 
divided upon the point ; but I will not go further into that question. I 
would, however, remark that in my opinion the present existence of the 
Terebratula has really very little bearing upon the subject under discussion. 
There are many other arguments for the antiquity of fossiliferous strata to 
which Dr. Burnett had not alluded. There can be no doubt of the apparent 
succession of species in rock after rock as they are dug up out of the earth. 
Attempts had been made by geologists to determine by mathematical calcula- 
tion the length of time which had elapsed since the animals found in these rocks 
had died ; but the more they applied mathematics to the solution of the problem, 
the longer the periods became. I cannot sit down without making one further 
remark. I think that Capt. Fishbourne was rather hard upon men of science 
when he spoke of them as rejecting Revelation, and as believing less in the 
Bible than other people. Now, I know a number of scientific men, and I am 
nearly always amongst them ; and, from my experience of them, I do not 
believe the charge of Capt. Fishbourne is well founded. (Hear, hear.) I do 
not think science induces a man to believe or disbelieve in Revelation. 
A man’s faith had its origin in far higher teaching. (Hear, hear.) I think 
it is therefore very unwise to put forth such statements. I do not believe, as 
a rule, that men of science are opposed to Revelation. If it were a fact that 
men, by their study of science, were led away from a belief in the Bible, it 
would be the most cogent argument that could be urged against the truth of 
Christianity ; but I do not believe any such argument can be used. Among 
men of science there are doubtless individuals who do not believe m 
revealed truth ; but it is the same in every other profession on the face of the 
earth. (Hear, hear.) I am certain that great harm would be done to young 
minds if the statement that science was opposed to Revelation were to go 
forth, and I feel it to be my duty to correct it. (Hear, hear.) 
Rev. J. B. Owen.— However we may differ with respect to the views 
contained in the paper, we shall all agree to the vote of thanks which has 
been proposed to the author. (Hear, hear.) I think our thanks are also due 
to those gentlemen who have spoken upon the paper, for the observations 
which they have made. I fully concur in the remarks which have been made 
by Dr. Gladstone with respect to some apparent deficiencies in the line of 
argument pursued by Dr. Burnett, and it occurs to me, that if Dr. Gladstone 
would favour us with a paper remedying the defects which he has pointed 
out, he would confer a very valuable service upon the Society. (Hear, hear.) 
I am sure that a paper on this subject from one whose deep scientific 
research is only equalled by the soundness of his religious views, and the 
catholicity of his sentiments, would be listened to with very great interest 
(hear, hear) ; and, with Dr. Burnett on the one hand and Dr. Gladstone on the 
